Fresh Update on Tag 06 and 07

Fresh news in recently would indicate that our bean geese have moved north from their previous feeding and roosting area north east of Oslo.

Simon the Oslo birder is of course in Eilat Israel enjoying a birding break in the sunshine. Check out his blog (oslobirder.blogspot.co.uk) to see what he is doing.

He is probably wondering about the bean goose flock also and what they are up to.

News from Simon Rix in Oslo

Simon has had a busy day in and around the Glomma River trying to count and read neck collars on the Slamannan flock of taiga bean geese.

His blog (oslobirder.blogspot.co.uk) gives a very good account of his activities and he has produced some lovely pictures of the birds he has been seeing.

Tag 06 has arrived from Sweden to join the flock but it is not always easy to find him. I attach a picture of it when caught for ringing.

News from Sweden today

Had an email from Ulf Skyllberg in Sweden today and he informs me that a flock of around 110/15 bean geese have been seen south west of Karlstad and some have neck collars relating to the Slamannan flock.

He also says that locals have been looking at a flock of bean geese over many years at this location so it would appear that we now have two staging posts outwith Denmark.

We now have the bean goose website updated by Carl Mitchell so super to see the migration routes of Tag06 and tag07 and all the others who have accompanied them

I love the pictures taken by Simon of the bean geese north east of Oslo. See Oslobirder.blogspot.co.uk

Fresh news update from Norway

We have news in today that Simon and a friend Thomas have been out looking at the bean goose flock NE of Oslo nr the Glomma River.

They counted 151 bean geese during a 2 hour observation and managed to count 9 collars plus what we think would be Tag07 with his juvenile family.

We have in place a super communication system with Larry Griffin (WWT) sending out fresh download information to Simon (Oslo Birder) so that he can chase about looking for the geese.

Below is a new picture taken recently in Denmark courtesy of Larry Griffin (WWT)  of the Slamannan flock feeding in a winter grain crop.

News update from Simon in Oslo

Reading Simon's blog reminds me of what we face here in central Scotland during the wintering period that the bean geese are here.

He is searching known fields and finding nothing and then by chance or GPS information locates the bean geese in new fields.

In his recent post I particularly like his shot (picture) of the bean geese in the middle of a bog area where they are resting/loafing which is so familiar to us here in Scotland.

Tag06 seems still to be in Denmark so whether he is still on his own or has now joined up with some others time will tell.

News from Norway

Some of our bean geese including tag 07 have now arrived in Norway north east of Oslo and on the Glomma River system. Tag06 is still apparently in Denmark but now on the west coast after a visit to the east coast. Simon Fox (oslobirder.blogspot.co.uk) is now out and about looking for our flock and he will be reporting back on his sightings. Visit his blog if you wish as he will be updating it on a regular basis.

Fresh Update from Denmark

Have had a report of a flock of 180 bean geese with many of our collared birds among them.

A flat featureless area making observations difficult. A bit like a lunar landscape according to reports.

Tag 04 below seen in Denmark and information downloaded from his collar which will reveal his wintering forays on the Slammanan Plateau during this past winter.

News update on Tag06

Received news this morning that our lonely bean goose (tag06) was half way to Denmark at 1200hrs yesterday.

What an amazing piece of navigation on his own. Can't wait to see the maps from Denmark to confirm he has joined the rest of the flock.